When I was a kid we moved a few times. The first one doesn't count (I was 1... didn't care). But, when I was 6 we moved across town in Jackson, MI. Since my Dad was a teacher, we moved during the summer, because that was when there was time.
It almost shouldn't count because the house had a pool. There were NO issues meeting the kids in the neighborhood, because they wanted to come to the pool. Also, it was during the first week of school (1st grade). That was the part that was important. Because we moved during the school year, I got to go to school and meet kids within a couple of days of changing addresses. I had to make the "new kid walk" into class, but that was over in a week.
About five years later, we moved to Hampton, VA. This began my "single year in a school" streak. We had a couple of moves, but they seemed almost strategically placed to keep me from being in a school for more than a year:
- Langley Elementary (6th Grade)
- Moved to Newport News
- Sedgefield Elementary (7th Grade)
- Carver Intermediate (8th Grade)
- Parents divorced, moved back to Hampton
- Jones Junior High (9th Grade)
Only Carver was a new school with old friends. In each of the others, I was a new kid.
And the move to Hampton the first time and then to Newport News were both into townhouse communities with swimming pools. The moves were during the summer, but because there was a social hub, it was quite easy to meet people and make new friends.
On the move back to Hampton from Newport News, no pool... no neighborhood association... There was the beach, and for a month and a half, I rode my bike down there every day. I spent a LOT of time at Buckroe Beach. But, aside from the time that I spent with my friends back in NN, or them coming down to Hampton... or at Busch Gardens (season passes were wonderful), I was on my own. Without the hub, it was difficult to meet new people. Ok, that and I have always been a little shy.
As soon as school started, things normalized.
Through all of those moves, looking back on it as an adult, I learned something. Moving during the school year can actually be helpful for kids. Especially the first part of the year. Don't worry as much about disrupting their classes as about the instant social interaction. Even shy kids WILL meet people in class on the first day of school. It might take a week or two to get comfortable, but unless there is a social hub, like a pool, and a social director (I can remember a few faces from my past) it is tougher to meet people before school starts.
So, don't worry as much about waiting for summer... And I think moving to a new city is actually tougher on adults...
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Lane, as a navy brat I moved quite frequently as a child also. There are good parts and bad parts to moving so often, but I would imagine that that is the case when you stay in the same school year after year also.
That's a lot of moving. When a new family moves into the development I ask the kids with their parents permission if I can introduce them to the other kids in the neighborhood. While building the new home you get to know the kids as well as the parents. I try to match up their personalities with similar kids. I walk over to their new home and together we knock on the door. I introduce them to each other and within a few minutes they are off riding bikes or playing on the dirt mounds with all the rest of them.
I'm trying to expand my SOI for future sales.LOL
I moved a lot when I was a kid....and I think it helped with flexibility...as kids we are like gumby and as adults grumpy..kids adjust in most cases and regardless usually kids will find their way to make new friends and pretty easily. As adults we dread it and don't want to...for kids its an adventure and for us adults...more work...I love thinking like a kid...life is rosier! :)
Marlene - There are pros and cons both ways... depends on who you are and how you spin it. I had the chance to be the "new kid" outsiders, as well as the "mysterious new guy". The second one was better.
Denise - I don't work that small of an area... but I often let kids know about cool places they might want to visit.
Midori - I think it is a blend of fear and excitement. The personality and prepping of the kid determines how much of each. But, moving as a kid made it easier as an adult.